Latest news with #anti-GBV
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Mourners gather to pay tribute to murdered child, Likhona Fose
Scores of community members of Durban Deep, Roodepoort and anti-GBV organisations came out in their numbers to support the grieving family of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, who was mutilated and killed in the area. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers City of Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero has called on the police to find the people responsible for murdering Likhona Fose, 14. Fose, a Grade 8 pupil at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, was found dead with her body mutilated in an empty field on Sunday, 1 June 2025, sparking reports of possible muthi and hate crime-related murder. On Thursday, Morero joined scores of mourners, including family, friends, learners from various schools and members of the Johannesburg City Council and MEC for education, Matome Chiloane and other officials who mourned the tragic manner in which the child died. The memorial service held at the Nkone Maruping Primary School in Braamfischerville attracted throngs of sympathisers who decried the scourge of GBVF and other violent crimes against women and children. The discovery of Fose's mutilated body coincided with Child Protection Week which started on May 29 and ended on Thursday. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Speaking to the mourners gathered at the Nkone Maruping Primary School, also in Braamfischerville, Morero said those responsible for Fose's death and who deal with body parts of young people will never be rich. "Body parts will not make you rich. We want to tell our people that to get rich they must wake up in the morning and work hard. It is painful to lose a child like this. As the city, we are here to comfort the family. Your child was killed by criminals, and I hope the police will do everything in their power to find the perpetrator so that justice is done," he said. On Wednesday, former Chief of the JMPD, David Tembe, who visited the family indicated that the JMPD and other law enforcement agencies would prioritise police visibility in the area. "This is no longer business as usual. The brutal murder of Likhona Fose has shaken the soul of our city. As the Public Safety leadership, we are declaring war on crime as we will be unleashing every tactical unit on the killers. "We are coming for those who think our children are targets. Johannesburg will not be a playground for criminals. We owe Likhona justice, we owe our people safety and we will deliver, no compromise, no retreat," he stated.
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Community outraged as family suspects hate crime in murder of Durban Deep pupil Likhona Fose
Scores of community members of Durban Deep, Roodepoort, and anti-GBV organisations came out in their numbers to support the grieving family of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, who was brutally mutilated and killed in the area this past week. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers City of Joburg Speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu and Executive Strategic Advisor to the MMC for Public Safety, David Tembe, visited the family of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, who was brutally murdered in Durban Deep, Roodepoort. Following the harrowing murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, Joburg residents woke up on Sunday to news that Likhona's lifeless body was discovered by a passer-by in the veld in Durban Deep, on the West Rand, with her genitals removed. Reports indicate that the family suspects hate crime to be the motive in the murder of the Grade 8 pupil, who identified as a lesbian. Tembe, who was greeted to protesting community members and anti-GBV activists, extended his condolences to the bereaved family, stating: "Her tragic and brutal killing, suspected to be linked to occult practices, has shaken the community. The city stands with the family during this time of immense grief, reaffirming its commitment to fighting heinous crimes and protecting the most vulnerable." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Speaking to the grieving family, Mthembu decried the increase in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases in the country. "What laws need to be changed in this country so that we can feel protected? Every day, we wake up to something. Who must we apologise to so that this can stop? We can celebrate the country's democracy, but this democracy is not working for us women because we are the ones who are being killed," she said. MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, also extended his support to the family and the entire Durban Deep community, saying the city stands with them following Tembe's visit to the family. "We reaffirm our commitment to fighting heinous crimes and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. The Strategic Advisor to the MMC for Public Safety, David Tembe, visited the family to offer support and condolences. The city will collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice," Tshwaku said.
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Community rallies in grief for Likhona Fose as officials confront rising violence
Scores of community members of Durban Deep, Roodepoort, and anti-GBV organisations came out in their numbers to support the grieving family of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, who was brutally mutilated and killed in the area this past week. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers On Tuesday, City of Joburg Speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu and Executive Strategic Advisor to the MMC for Public Safety, David Tembe, visited the family of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, who was brutally murdered and violated in Durban Deep, Roodepoort. Following the harrowing murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, Joburg residents woke up on Sunday to news that Likhona's lifeless body was discovered by a passer-by in the veld in Durban Deep, on the West Rand, with her genitals removed. Reports indicate that the family suspects hate crime to be the motive in the murder of the Grade 8 pupil, who identified as a lesbian. Tembe, who was greeted to protesting community members and anti-GBV activists, extended his condolences to the bereaved family, stating: "Her tragic and brutal killing, suspected to be linked to occult practices, has shaken the community. The city stands with the family during this time of immense grief, reaffirming its commitment to fighting heinous crimes and protecting the most vulnerable." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Speaking to the grieving family, Mthembu decried the increase in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases in the country. "What laws need to be changed in this country so that we can feel protected? Every day, we wake up to something. Who must we apologise to so that this can stop? We can celebrate the country's democracy, but this democracy is not working for us women because we are the ones who are being killed," she said. MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, also extended his support to the family and the entire Durban Deep community, saying the city stands with them following Tembe's visit to the family. "We reaffirm our commitment to fighting heinous crimes and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. The Strategic Advisor to the MMC for Public Safety, David Tembe, visited the family to offer support and condolences. The city will collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice," Tshwaku said.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Athlete to run almost 450km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in aid of ending GBV
Athlete to run almost 450km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in aid of ending GBV At just 26 years old, Pfano Ungedzani is lacing up not just for a run, but for an anti-GBV mission that spans nearly 450km, many towns, and the broken hearts of South Africans. On Sunday, June 1, the rising athlete will begin a seven-day run from Hatfield in Pretoria to Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, his home turf, with a message too urgent to ignore: enough is enough. Born and raised in the rural village of Tshidzini near Thohoyandou, Ungedzani is no stranger to hardship. From selling his phone to afford transport to competitions, to sleeping at a petrol station due to a lack of accommodation, his journey has been marked by persistence, poverty, and purpose. Now ranked 38th in South Africa in the 400m event with a personal best of 48.3 seconds, he's set his sights on the Olympics. But before chasing gold, he's running for justice. Ungedzani's running journey began at Tshamutshedzi Primary School in 2008. 'I participated in school athletics, and I would always win at the circuit level,' he said. His early talent saw him climb the competitive ladder to district and provincial levels, where he ran at the iconic Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. His early years lacked access to facilities and exposure. 'There were limited opportunities for track events in my village,' he said. But moving to Pretoria in 2021 changed everything. Training first with Masai Club under the watchful eye of Olympic champion Caster Semenya, Ungedzani soon caught the attention of the University of Pretoria's athletics team. 'Joining UP motivated me to love running even more. 'Now, my dream is to represent South Africa on the world stage.' Growing up, Ungedzani idolised sprinters like Akani Simbine and Usain Bolt. Meeting Simbine in person was a moment of inspiration, confirming to Ungedzani that greatness was within reach. Today, he channels that same spirit of excellence into his training and advocacy, hoping to shave off three seconds to qualify for the Olympics. 'The GBV crisis in South Africa is horrifying. Femicide rates are five times higher than the global average. I've seen friends, family and neighbours suffer in silence. I couldn't just sit back. 'This run is my way of saying 'no more'.' Ungedzani's upcoming journey will see him running about 64km per day for seven consecutive days. He'll pass through towns, townships, and rural landscapes that mirror the one he grew up in. While he begins alone in Pretoria, he expects to be joined by fellow runners around Polokwane. 'The risks are real: injuries, dehydration, exhaustion, but I've trained for this. I have a physiotherapist travelling with me. I'm doing this for something bigger than myself.' Challenges still remain, such as accommodation, which has only been secured for two out of seven nights. He hopes new sponsors or supporters will come on board in time. He believes in the power of sport to address gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse, another crisis affecting youth in his community. 'Sports build confidence, discipline, and community. They help people make better choices and give them something to believe in,' he said. After the run, he plans to launch a non-profit organisation to provide training, mentorship, and resources to aspiring young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. 'We'll be a support system for those who need it most. My goal is to create a space where young people can thrive, athletically and personally. 'I want young people, especially those from rural areas like mine, to know their dreams are valid. No matter the obstacles, believe in yourself,' he said. ALSO READ: Times Square turns International Burger Day into month-long celebration Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
